Chennai, 04 September (H.S.): A 48-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly persuading a schoolgirl to mix cow dung powder into sambar prepared under the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast Scheme at a government middle school near Sathyamangalam in Erode district.

Police identified the accused as Arumugam. Investigators suspect that resentment over his wife being replaced as a cook at the school prompted the alleged act.

The incident occurred at the Government Middle School in Ramapailur, which has 51 students. It came to light on August 31 when a teacher, Revathi, tasted a portion of the sambar before it was served to students as part of the breakfast programme. Finding it unusually bitter, she immediately alerted headmistress Kumudha.

Acting on the advice of the Sathyamangalam Block Development Officer, the headmistress subsequently lodged a complaint with the police.

An investigation found that the cow dung powder had been mixed only with a small quantity of sambar kept separately for the teacher to conduct the routine taste check. The main batch of sambar served to the students had not been contaminated, police said.

According to investigators, Arumugam allegedly gave ₹10 to a schoolgirl and instructed her to purchase cow dung powder from a nearby shop and mix it with the food. The girl reportedly spent ₹5 on a snack and used the remaining ₹5 to buy the powder. She then allegedly mixed it into the portion of sambar reserved for tasting.

Police said Arumugam’s wife, Alammal, had previously worked as a cook at the school but was replaced following complaints over the quality of food preparation.

Investigators suspect that Arumugam was angered by her removal and the appointment of another cook.

Sathyamangalam police arrested Arumugam on Thursday night. He was produced before a local court and remanded in judicial custody.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman